The Billionaire's Forbidden Love

Chapter Four

Fear froze Alessia's lungs. Her voice, when it emerged, was a shaky whimper, "P-please... don't kill me."

The figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the light of the room. Alessia blinked, her terror intensifying as she recognized Lorenzo's son. Her breath hitched as he stared at her with a steely glint in his eyes and the gun casually held in his hand.

He tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Tell me why I shouldn't," he demanded, his voice a low rumble. "How did you even get here?"

A primal growl echoed from her stomach, breaking the chilling silence. Shame burned her cheeks as she saw a flicker of something in his eyes before they hardened again. Yet, to her astonishment, he lowered the gun.

"When was the last time you ate?" he asked, his voice losing its edge.

She clutched her stomach, her mind a blank canvas. "I don't remember," she mumbled, surprised that she was able to form a sentence with the amount of fear she felt.

They stood in tense silence, Alessia's eyes drawn to the intricate designs etched on his arm - a stark contrast to the raw scars crisscrossing his muscular back. Everything about him screamed danger, and she instinctively took a step back.

He met her gaze, "Eat." He gestured towards a tray on the opposite side of the room.

Her legs felt like jelly as she approached the food. The savory aroma filled her senses. With trembling hands, she picked up a piece of bread, the taste exploding on her tongue like a forgotten melody. Her hunger took over, and soon, the silence was filled only by the sound of her ravenous devouring.

Sebastian watched, an unfamiliar curiosity sparking within him. This girl, so different from the s*x slaves his father usually presented, intrigued him. "What's your name?" he asked, his tone gentler than before.

She paused mid-chew, her voice barely a whisper, "Alessia."

"Alessia," he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with an odd weight. She shivered, but it was unclear if it was from the cool air or his chilling presence.

"How did you end up on my father's radar?" His question hung heavy in the air even though he had an answer. He knew girls like her, girls whose choices were ripped away by powerful men like him.

Alessia hesitated, the memories flooding back in a dizzying wave. Fear threatened to drown her, "My stepfather owed a debt to a loan shark. I was taken as collateral and he couldn’t pay back so I was auctioned off. Your father bought me.” Her voice cracked, the unspoken horror hanging heavy in the air.

Sebastian didn't interrupt, his gaze intense. He saw the fear etched on her face, the vulnerability in her eyes, and a pang of unexpected empathy struck him. It was an emotion he rarely allowed himself to feel, a reminder of a life he'd long buried.

"You need to go back to your room," Sebastian finally said breaking the silence that followed, his voice low.

"No, please!" she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice. "I can't stay here. You have to help me escape. I had saved enough money to leave the country. I promise I won't tell anyone, you'll never see me again." Her eyes, wide and pleading, locked onto his, searching for a flicker of hope amidst the stoic mask he wore.

He remained stone-faced, his expression betraying nothing. "I think you have overstayed your welcome. I don't owe you anything." His words were cold, each syllable dripping with finality.

Alessia knew he was a different type of monster but he had been the only one to not show his claws yet. The picture of his mother flashed in her head and she grabbed the loose thread her mind cooked up, "What do you think your mother would say," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "if she could see you standing by while your father does... this?"

She instantly regretted the moment the words left her mouth, the fear prickling her skin as he took two menacing steps towards her grabbing her by the neck. His face contorted into a mask of rage, his voice a low growl.

"Don't. You. Ever. Mention. My mother. Again," he spat, his words laced with venom. "Or it won’t be by my father’s hands that you will die. Do you understand?”

Tears welled up in Alessia's eyes, the taste of fear metallic on her tongue. "I... I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice choking with unshed tears. But his grip on her neck tightened, his knuckles turning white with restrained fury.

His eyes, cold and devoid of pity, held her captive. In that moment, he wasn't just Sebastian, he was the embodiment of the fear that had haunted her days.

"Please," she whispered, her voice barely a whimper, "Sebastian, please..."

The sound of his name, spoken so softly, seemed to break through the haze of rage. His grip loosened, and he released her neck as if burned. Alessia stumbled back, gasping for breath, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

He held her gaze for a long, tense moment, then spoke, "Get out."

Alessia didn't need to be told twice. She scrambled to her feet, her legs trembling, and stumbled towards the door. Without a backward glance, she threw it open and darted out, slamming it shut behind her.

The footsteps and noise, long forgotten as she rushed back to the room she had been given, feeling like it was the safest place in this cage.

The moment she stepped in, Lorenzo's booming voice shattered the fragile peace. "Where have you been?" he demanded, his Italian accent thick with an underlying threat.

Alessia stumbled back, her heart leaping into her throat. Lorenzo towered over her, his dark eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. His presence radiated an oppressive air that made it hard to breathe.

"I... I..." she stammered, the words stuck in her throat. She couldn't bring herself to lie, the fear of his wrath too potent, "Please just let me go," she finally choked out.

An ugly snarl twisted his features. "I asked you a question, Ragazza," he spat, his voice like thunder rolling across the room. "Answer me!"

She flinched under his fury, the torn sleeve of her dress catching on his rough grip. Fear choked her voice, but the instinct to survive roared to life.

"Food," she blurted out, desperation coloring her tone. "I was so hungry. I just went to find food."

Lorenzo didn't seem convinced. He pulled her closer, his fingers digging into her arm. The pain jolted her, but the terror kept her rooted to the spot.

"You will eat when I say you can," he snarled, his voice tight with control. "Capisci?"

Alessia swallowed hard as she nodded, her eyes pleading for mercy.

He released his grip, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Good girl," he purred, his voice suddenly smooth as silk. "Now get on the bed and spread your legs. It is time for me to take what is mine.”